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Kotsar And Couisnard Earn Coaches Postseason Accolades
Men's Basketball | 3/10/2020 | From USC Sports Information | GCF Staff Report
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COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina senior forward Maik Kotsar and R-freshman guard Jermaine Couisnard were honored with SEC postseason accolades today from the league's coaches. Kotsar was named to the All-SEC Second Team, and Couisnard earned All-Freshman Team honors, marking the first postseason awards for both student-athletes. Kotsar's selection to the Second Team marks the fifth straight season that Carolina has had a member of the coaches First or Second Team, and Couisnard's All-Freshman honor marks the second straight year Carolina has had a freshman selected to the squad (AJ Lawson in 2019), and the fourth time under the direction of head coach Frank Martin that a Gamecock has earned All-Freshman honors (Michael Carrera, 2011; Sindarius Thornwell, 2014; AJ Lawson, 2019).Kotsar has had the best year of his career in 2019-20, averaging 11.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.5 steals per game, all career highs. He's scored in double figures 20 times, with three 20-point scoring performances, while leading or sharing the team lead in scoring 10 times, in rebounding 16, and in steals and blocks 13 times. Entering SEC Tournament action, Kotsar is the only player nationally 6-10 or taller with 40 or more steals on the year, and he is the only player in the SEC with 40+ steals and 30+ blocks. Kotsar, who scored the 1,000th point of his career in the Feb. 29 contest vs. Alabama, had a career-best streak of nine-straight games in double figures earlier this season, and he is now in sole possession of second place all time at Carolina with 121 career starts. A four-year starter for Carolina, Kotsar helped lead the Gamecocks to 51 SEC victories during his career. Couisnard led Carolina during SEC play with 14.8 points and 3.6 assists per game, while also posting 13 double-figure scoring games during conference action. He has 23 games with two or more assists during his freshman year, including dishing out a season high 10 in Carolina's March 3 home win over Mississippi State, becoming the first Gamecock since 2008 to collect 10 or more assists in a game. Couisnard was a two-time SEC Freshman of the Week in 2020, first after the buzzer beater 3-pointer to clinch the home win over No. 10/12 Kentucky, and later in the SEC campaign following a season high 28-point scoring performance at Ole Miss. The Gamecocks are the sixth seed in this week's SEC Tournament in Nashville, and will play the winner of the 11th-seed Arkansas and 14th-seed Vanderbilt contest on Thursday at approximately 9:30 p.m. ET on the SEC Network. Continue to visit GamecocksOnline.com for updates on Carolina basketball.The complete list of All-SEC honorees is below: First Team All-SECKira Lewis Jr., AlabamaMason Jones, ArkansasSamir Doughty, AuburnKeyontae Johnson, FloridaImmanuel Quickley, KentuckyNick Richards, KentuckySkylar Mays, LSUBreein Tyree, Ole MissReggie Perry, Mississippi State Second Team All-SECJohn Petty Jr., AlabamaIsaac Okoro, AuburnKerry Blackshear Jr., FloridaAnthony Edwards, GeorgiaTyrese Maxey, KentuckyMaik Kotsar, South CarolinaJohn Fulkerson, TennesseeSaben Lee, Vanderbilt All-Freshman TeamJaden Shackelford, AlabamaIsaac Okoro, AuburnScottie Lewis, FloridaAnthony Edwards, GeorgiaTyrese Maxey, KentuckyTrendon Watford, LSUJermaine Couisnard, South CarolinaScotty Pippen Jr., Vanderbilt All-Defensive TeamHerbert Jones, AlabamaIsaac Okoro, AuburnAshton Hagans, KentuckyNick Richards, KentuckyYves Pons, Tennessee

Travis Bell
BOX SCORE
88
#1/2 South Carolina 19-1,7-0 SEC
53
Georgia 12-8,3-4 SEC
Score By Periods
Team
1
2
3
4
F
#1/2 South Carolina
28
19
18
23
88
Georgia
8
22
17
6
53
Game Recap: Women's Basketball | 1/26/2020 | By CHARLES ODUM | From USC Sports Information | GCF Staff Report
Harris Becomes All-Time Assists Leader as Gamecocks Win at UGA
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ATHENS, Ga. (AP) Aliyah Boston scored 15 points and No. 1 South Carolina rode an overwhelming opening period to its 13th consecutive win, beating Georgia 88-53 on Sunday.
Destanni Henderson had 14 points for South Carolina (19-1, 7-0 Southeastern Conference). Boston had four of the Gamecocks' 11 steals. Tyasha Harris added 13 points and seven assists.
Stephanie Paul led Georgia (12-8, 3-4) with 13 points.
South Carolina used its dominant defense to grab control early.
After Georgia's Jenna Staiti scored the game's first points, the Gamecocks' 14-0 run left the Lady Bulldogs with double-digit deficits the remainder of the game. Harris sank a 3-pointer and added another jumper as the bookend baskets of the run.
South Carolina had seven steals in taking a 28-8 lead at the end of the opening period. Many of the forced turnovers followed Georgia's ill-fated attempts to pass the ball inside. The Lady Bulldogs made only 3 of 13 shots from the field in the deflating opening period.
Gabby Connally's third 3-pointer of the second period helped Georgia trim the South Carolina lead to 13 points at 34-21. The Gamecocks stretched the lead to 26 points in the third period.
Connally had 11 points and nine assists.
GAMECHANGER
After Georgia scored the game's opening points, Carolina went on a 14-0 run to take control of the game, eventually taking a 28-8 lead into the second quarter.
KEY STAT
The Gamecocks dominated the post on Sunday outscoring Georgia 50-22 in the paint and controlled the pace of the game, out-scoring the Lady Bulldogs 20-9 in fastbreak points.
NOTABLES
With her sixth assist of the night in the third quarter, Tyasha Harris became South Carolina's all-time leader in career assists, passing Cristina Ciocan's total of 615. Harris finished with 13 points, seven assists and three rebounds. The senior has 617 career assists.
The Gamecocks finished with five in double-figures for the 12th time this season.
South Carolina shot 60.3 percent from the field (35-of-58), its second-highest percentage of the season. Both games of at least 60.0 percent shooting came in the SEC.
Carolina held Georgia to eight points in the first quarter, the ninth time the Gamecocks have held an opponent to single digits in the opening quarter this season, and the fourth time in conference play.
The Gamecocks are 19-1 to start a season for the first time since the 2016-17 season, which started with the same record.
Aliyah Boston led all scorers with 15 points. She added six rebounds and a career-high four steals.
Destanni Henderson rattled off six points in the fourth to finish with 14 for the game to go along with her six rebounds and six assists.
LeLe Grissett scored 11 points, all in the fourth quarter, her highest total in SEC play this season.
UP NEXT
The Gamecocks (19-1, 7-0 SEC) travel to Oxford, Miss., for a showdown with Ole Miss on Thursday. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET with the game airing on SEC Network+.

Gamecocks Travel To Clemson For Sunday Matchup
Men's Basketball | 12/13/2019 | From USC Sports Information | GCF Staff Report
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COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina (6-4) travels to the Upstate to face Clemson (5-4) in a 5 p.m. ET matchup on Sunday at Littlejohn Coliseum. Roy Philpott (play-by-play) and Jordan Cornette (analyst) will handle the call for the ESPN2 broadcast, while Derek Scott (play-by-play) and Casey Manning (analyst) will have the call over the air for the Gamecock Radio Network.TIPOFF NOTABLES> South Carolina returns to the court following a week-long break from game action due to exams when it travels to face Clemson in the Upstate on Sunday. The non-conference matchup vs. the Tigers marks Carolina's fourth game away from home this season and it's second true road contest. > Sunday's contest marks the 170th meeting all-time between the Gamecocks and Tigers. The series dates back to a 39-18 Carolina win on Feb. 6, 1913, in Columbia. > The matchup is also part of the Palmetto Series, which Carolina currently leads 5-4. Throughout the year, and as Carolina and Clemson compete against each other, each will earn points for a win and the overall winner will take home the coveted Palmetto Series trophy.> The Gamecocks most recently suffered a home loss to Houston on Dec. 8. The Carolina offense hit just 32.3 percent from the field, and the Cougars claimed the road win. Senior forward Maik Kotsar led Carolina with 12 points, and sophomore guard AJ Lawson added 10 in the loss.> Carolina hit six 3s vs. Houston, it's highest output from beyond the arc since hitting 7-of-19 attempts from range vs. Northern Iowa. > The Gamecocks are 1-0 on the road this season, and are 23-33 (41.0%) in road contests dating back to the 2014-15 campaign.> According to KenPom.com, the Gamecocks are one of the least experienced teams in the nation, ranking 328th in KenPom.com computations. This is determined using eligibility class weighted by minutes played. Another stat of note, offensively, Carolina is 25th in average possession length at 15.4 while its opponents are 321st at 18.3.
THROUGH 10 GAMES ...> Sophomore guard AJ Lawson paces the Gamecocks with 15.9 points per game, and he is also dishing 2.7 assists per outing.> Senior forward Maik Kotsar has scored 100 points through the first 10 games, 10.0 points per outing. His 6.1 rebounds per game lead the team and rank 15th in the SEC.> The Gamecocks are holding opponents to just 38.8 percent from the floor, which ranks fifth in the SEC and 56th nationally.> Carolina has dished at least 13 assists in nine games.> R-freshman guard Jermaine Couisnard paces the Gamecocks with 2.8 assists per game. He is also solid at the charity stripe, having hit 14-of-17 attempts - 82.4% - thus far.> Carolina has held its opponent to less than 40 percent from the field on five occassions, including holding Wyoming to 23.1 percent and only nine made field goals.> Sophomore forward Alanzo Frink has hit a team best 63.8 percent (30-47) of his shot attempts.SENIOR LEADERSHIP FROM KOTSAR> Senior forward Maik Kotsar has played great basketball to start the season. Kotsar is such a strong component for the Gamecocks on the defensive end, but of late, his offense and rebounding have been key. > Kotsar recently scored in double figures in a career-best five-straight contests, starting with 14 points vs. Boston U (Nov. 19). He scored 11 points vs. Gardner-Webb (Nov. 22), before leading the Gamecocks with 12 points, three assists, two blocks and three steals, while also pulling down seven rebounds vs. Wichita State (Nov. 26), and he was strong again vs. UNI (Nov. 27), scoring 12 with two blocks, en route to Cancun Challenge All-Tournament Team honors. > Kotsar returned to Columbia to pace Carolina with 17 points, nine rebounds and another two-block performance in the home win over George Washington (Dec. 1). He was near perfect from the field, hitting 8-of-9 attempts from the floor, and he also collected Carolina's only steal in the game vs. the Colonials. > Kotsar also led the Gamecocks with 35.4 minutes per game during the stretch.> Kotsar snapped his double-figure streak at UMass, however, he scored nine points, pulled down a team high nine rebounds, dished five assists and had three steals in 27 minutes of action. He also collected a crucial lose ball late in the contest on the defensive end.> With a 12-point performance vs. Houston, Kotsar tallied his sixth game this season in double-figures (five games in double-figures last season). SCOUTING THE TIGERS> Clemson is 5-4 this season and 0-2 in ACC contests, having suffered losses to Virginia Tech and at Florida State.> The Tigers are led by head coach Brad Brownell in his 10th season.> Grad transfer Tevin Mack, who previously played at Alabama, paces the team with 13.8 points per outing, and Aamir Simms adds 11.3 points and a team high 8.0 rebounds per game.> The Tigers average 43.8 percent from the field and 34.1 percent from 3-point range. Clemson attempts 25.6 shots from beyond the arc per game, connecting on an average of 8.8 per outing.> In home games, Clemson is 4-1, its only loss the season opener vs. Virginia Tech on Nov. 5.> Clemson has lost three-straight (vs. Colorado, at Minnesota, at Florida State) entering Sunday's game.NOTES TO KNOW> South Carolina is led by eighth-year head coach Frank Martin. Martin, the 2017 Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year, owns a 252-164 record in his 13th season as a head coach, and a 135-110 record in his eighth season at Carolina.> Joining Martin on the sidelines is a veteran staff, including assistant coaches Perry Clark (seventh season), Chuck Martin (third season) and Bruce Shingler (fourth season), director of basketball operations Andy Assaley (eighth season) and strength and conditioning coach Scott Greenawalt (eighth season), and several support staff members.> South Carolina returns a core group from last season's squad, while welcoming seven newcomers to Columbia, including five freshmen – Trey Anderson, Jalyn McCreary, Trae Hannibal, Wildens Leveque and Mike Green, transfer Seventh Woods (North Carolina/not eligible this season due to NCAA transfer rules) and graduate transfer Micaiah Henry (Tennessee Tech/immediately eligible).> Carolina's top returning scorer, and 2019 SEC All-Freshman Team honoree, is sophomore guard AJ Lawson, who scored 13.4 points per outing last season, while dishing 2.9 assists per game. Over the summer, Lawson competed for Team Canada at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Greece, leading the Canadians with 16.7 points per outing, including an event-high 31 points vs. Senegal.> R-junior guard Jair Bolden, who was unable to play last season due to NCAA transfer rules (transferred in the summer of 2018 after playing two seasons at George Washington), will bring veteran leadership and proven scoring ability to the court this season for Carolina, as the Brooklyn, N.Y., native averaged 11.2 points per game as a sophomore for the Colonials, while also pacing the team with 98 assists on the season.> In SEC action, the Gamecocks open league play on Jan. 7 at Colonial Life Arena against No. 6/6 Florida, while also hosting No. 2/2 Kentucky, No. 22/24 LSU, and No. -/25 Tennessee in conference play (rankings listed are preseason).> South Carolina returns 43.9 percent of scoring from a year ago, 48.3 percent of its made field goals, and 45.7 percent of its rebounding, following the graduation of All-SEC forward Chris Silva, who led the Gamecocks with 15.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, and 150 made field goals last season.> Sophomore guard AJ Lawson is Carolina's top returning scorer after contributing 13.4 points per outing last season. Lawson, who was named to the Jerry West Award Watch List last month, posted 18 double-figure scoring games last season, including six 20-point performances.> South Carolina improved to 83-29 all-time in season openers, and a perfect 8-0 under the direction of Frank Martin in season lidlifters, when the Gamecocks posted a 77-55 win over North Alabama Nov. 6 at Colonial Life Arena. Redshirt-sophomore forward Justin Minaya (17) and r-junior guard Jair Bolden (14) scored in double figures.> R-freshman guard Jermaine Couisnard made his college debut vs. North Alabama, putting together a strong showing with nine points, four rebounds, two assists and a block in 22 minutes of action. Couisnard missed the exhibition vs. CIU on Oct. 30 due to illness.> Carolina improved to 2-0 on the young season when it posted a 66-32 victory over Wyoming at Colonial Life Arena on Nov. 10. Four were in double figures for the Gamecocks, but the story of the game was the Carolina defense, which held Wyoming to just nine made field goals in the contest.> Sophomore guard AJ Lawson and r-freshman guard Jermaine Couisnard each tallied 12 points to pace the Gamecocks in the win over the Cowboys. Sophomore forward Alanzo Frink netted a then-career best 10 points, and r-junior guard Jair Bolden added 11.> Sophomore guard AJ Lawson hit seven buckets, including a pair of 3s, and was a career best 12-of-13 at the foul line to post a new career high 28 points in leading the Gamecocks over Cleveland State on Nov. 15 at Colonial Life Arena. Classmate Alanzo Frink posted the first double-double of his career as well, scoring 11 with 10 boards, including eight on the offensive glass.> Despite three Gamecocks in double-figures, including a game-high 22 points from sophomore guard AJ Lawson, Boston U posted a 78-70 win over Carolina on Nov. 19 at Colonial Life Arena. The Terriers connected on nine made 3-pointers, and hit an opponent season high 42.2% (27-64) from the floor.> The Gamecocks rebounded from their first loss of the season to post a 74-69 hard-fought win over visiting Gardner-Webb Nov. 22 at Colonial Life Arena. Five were in double-figures for the Gamecocks, led by rookie guard Jermaine Couisnard and sophomore guard AJ Lawson's 16 points each. Senior forward Maik Kotsar (11), junior Jair Bolden (10) and sophomore Alanzo Frink (10) were also in double figures. It was the first time this season that five Gamecocks have reached double figures in a game.> South Carolina suffered a 70-47 loss to Wichita State in its opening neutral-site game at the Cancun Challenge on Nov. 26 at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. Senior forward Maik Kotsar was the only player in double figures for Carolina, finishing with 12 points. He also had seven rebounds, three assists and a pair of blocks in a team-high 36 minutes.> Sophomore guard AJ Lawson scored 20 points, his third 20+ outing of the season, against UNI (Nov. 27). Lawson connected on his first four shot attempts in the game, and finished with eight made field goals, matching his career high. > Senior forward Maik Kotsar was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Cancun Challenge, after scoring 12 points in each matchup at the event. > Carolina snapped its two-game losing streak when it posted a 74-65 victory over George Washington on Dec. 1 in Columbia. Senior forward Maik Kotsar continued his stretch of strong play, leading the Gamecocks with 17 points and 9 rebounds, pushing his double-figure scoring streak to five-straight games, the longest such stretch of his career. > An 84-80 win at UMass marked the first road victory of the season for the Gamecocks Dec. 4 in Amherst. Sophomore forward Keyshawn Bryant made his season debut, scoring 13 points, and guard Jermaine Couisnard matched his season high with 16 points, as the duo provided a spark on both ends of the court off the bench in the win.> Sophomore guard AJ Lawson posted his fourth 20-point game of the season with a game-high 24 on eight bade baskets and six made free throws in the win at UMass. MORE NUMBERS43.9% - South Carolina returns 43.9 percent of its scoring from last season following the departure of All-SEC forward Chris Silva, who led Carolina with a total of 486 points - 15.2 points per game - last season.17/11 - In his return to the court for the first time in almost a year after missing the final 27 games of last season due to injury, r-sophomore forward Justin Minaya posted team highs of 17 points and 11 rebounds for the first double-double of his career vs. North Alabama on Nov. 6.23 - Sophomore guard AJ Lawson led Carolina in its lone exhibition contest with a team high 23 points. Lawson connected on 7-of-11 attempts from the floor, including a trio of 3-pointers.32 - Carolina held Wyoming to just 32 points in the non-conference matchup on Nov. 10. The mark was the lowest opponent point total during the seven+ seasons under Coach Martin.12 - Rookie forward Wildens Leveque was a perfect 4-of-4 from the floor and 4-of-5 from the free throw line for the first double-digit outing of his career, as he posted 12 points in Carolina's Nov. 15 win over Cleveland State.7 - Carolina committed just seven turnovers in the win over Gardner-Webb. It was the fewest this season, and tied for the fifth-fewest under the direction of head coach Frank Martin.500 - Senior forward Maik Kotsar recorded the 500th rebound of his career in the win over Gardner-Webb on Nov. 22. Of his 534 career boards, 204 of those - 38.2 percent - are offensive rebounds. The senior big had a crucial offensive rebound tip-out in the win over Gardner-Webb with just 21 seconds remaining and the Gamecocks up two. Junior guard Jair Bolden collected the tip-out, and sank a free throw to push the Gamecock lead to three points with 15 seconds to play.29 - Carolina forced 29 Cleveland State turnovers in the matchup vs. the Vikings on Nov. 15. That mark was the most ever by a Gamecock squad under the direction of Frank Martin, and ties for the third-most all-time by a Carolina team (happened three other times, most recently vs. ETSU on Nov. 24, 2002).38.8% - South Carolina is holding opponents to just 38.8 percent from the field through the first 10 games of the season. That mark is fifth in the SEC and 56th nationally.250 - South Carolina head coach Frank Martin captured the 250th win of his celebrated career in the win over Gardner-Webb on Nov. 22. Martin's team won 117 games at Kansas State, and his Gamecocks have captured 134 victories.COMING UP NEXT> Carolina will face another ACC opponent on the road next Sunday when the Gamecocks travel to face defending national champion No. 9/8 Virginia in Charlottesville. The contest will be broadcast on ABC and will tip at 3 p.m. ET, at John Pa

Martin has program legend English in his corner
Dec. 07, 2019
Before the likes of BJ McKie or Sindarius Thornwell, the player synonymous with South Carolina basketball was – and in the minds of many still is – Alex English.
The 6-7 forward from Columbia who played for South Carolina from 1972-76 and was a two-time All-American went on to have an illustrious 14-year NBA career and currently ranks No. 19 in league history with 25,613 career points. He was the 1983 scoring champion and an 8-time NBA All-Star. His No. 22 is retired at South Carolina and No. 2 is retired by the Denver Nuggets. (VIEW ARTICLE) Free 247sports

Talking Gamecock Basketball "Defense wins Championships"
Nov. 12, 2019, | GCF Staff Report
When the Gamecocks allowed just 31 points to Maryland on Jan. 9, 1971, it wasn’t necessarily because of what the Gamecocks did defensively. Then it was more about the Terrapins and their offensive approach. The word back then “Stall-ball,” Kevin Joyce said it best. Bob Carver added “Maryland really didn’t play with us,”
Joyce and Carver played for the Gamecocks under then coach Frank McGuire. That team won 23 games and an ACC title to boot. Counted among its six losses was a frustrating night in College Park, Maryland, where the Terps, in an effort to limit touches for Carolina All-American John Roche and company, slowed the pace to a crawl. Final score: Maryland 31, South Carolina 30. “In overtime.”
Now back to the shot clock era. Frank Martin’s Gamecocks finished a suffocating performance against Wyoming. Carolina held the Cowboys to 32 points, the program’s fewest allowed in what 48 years. Yes you read it correctly. Good news was the outcome, Carolina win. Gamecocks won by 34, making it, scoring-wise, the best defensive performance in a victory since USC’s 80-14 rout of the Florence All-Stars on Jan. 2, 1948.
So before we anoint the team here to be consider championship worthy. Take a step back. Question is the Gamecocks as college basketball’s version of the 1985 Chicago Bears? No not yet. Why? Teams typically begin seasons slowly on offense, Wyoming scored just 54 points in its previous game and the Cowboys were picked to finish next-to-last in the Mountain West Conference. Still a good start.
Carolina has already accomplished something in 2019-20 that it failed to reach in Martin’s previous seven seasons as Gamecock coach. USC has mostly been sound defensively, but it had never held two opponents under 25 percent shooting in the same year until these past five days. North Alabama shot 24.6 percent. Wyoming shot 23.1 percent. The Gamecocks (2-0) won both games by a combined score of 143-87. The Lions and Cowboys missed 76 of their 100 field goal attempts.
Only reigning national champion Virginia has a better field goal percentage defense than Carolina (24.0). Chances for the Gamecocks to stay this smothering aren’t super high considering better competition is ahead on the schedule, but the chance for this side of the ball to rival that of the Duane Notice and Sindarius Thornwell-led unit that carried USC to the 2017 Final Four is real. These Gamecocks are long at the guard spots, have developing rim protectors and aren’t lacking for options.
Martin said Sunday. “We’ve got multiple guys that we can play out there. And the biggest adjustment that these kids have to make when they get to us here is you can’t play to conserve energy. That’s a disservice to your team. You got to play to lay it on the line for your team. And we have enough bodies where when you sub Player A for Player B, there’s not a big drop-off.”
Martin has stuck with the same starting lineup in both games, opting for a Jair Bolden-A.J. Lawson backcourt (average size: 6-foot-4, 194 pounds) to then be replaced by T.J. Moss and Jermaine Couisnard (6-4, 203). That group provided five of Carolina’s nine steals against Wyoming. Martin said. “I’m kind of liking T.J. Moss, Jermaine coming off the bench. I’m still trying to figure all that out. I’m not in stone with how I want to handle things, but I’m kind of liking that because those two guys are ultra aggressive defensively. “So A.J. and Jair start, and then you come in with those two guys and they’re even more aggressive defensively than A.J. and Jair.”
Martin also saw defensive flaws in the 77-55 win over North Alabama, calling out failures to stay in front of dribblers and easily allowing penetration. Good news, that improved four days later.
Martin said. “We obviously played a lot better defensively. We also played a different team offensively. Where North Alabama just looked to space and drive you from four or five places, Wyoming depends on their structure to get guys shots. If we had been passive defensively, like we were the other day, they would have kind of put us on our heels a little bit and then it gets embarrassing sometimes when you play structured teams and you don’t defend properly. “But I thought we were real good defensively.”
Wyoming dropped 73 points on Carolina last season, handing the Gamecocks a head-scratching defeat that ultimately impacted their postseason. The Cowboys made 11 field goals in the second half of that game. Sunday, they had nine for the entire 40 minutes.
Wyoming coach Allen Edwards said. “I thought they came out with the right attitude. I don’t know if it was coming off the North Alabama game and North Alabama hanging around a little bit or us having the opportunity to get them at our place last year, but I look at this group and I say they’re more well-balanced. I get Lawson is pretty talented, but I think you have to respect the other pieces as well. “My staff and I, we talked about that after the game. I thought this group was more complete. They play together more, too.” And they won’t be at full strength for another month.
Food for thought here, Martin said. “Remember now (we’re) still minus Keyshawn Bryant. When you add another 6-6 athlete that has instincts to block shots and steal the ball, we got a chance to be real good defensively.”
GAMES IN THE FRANK MARTIN ERA WITH LOWEST OPPONENT FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGES
1. Michigan 19.2 (Nov. 23, 2016)
2. Georgia 20.2 (Jan. 31, 2015)
3. Longwood 22.8 (Nov. 9, 2013)
4. Wyoming 23.1 (Nov. 10, 2019)
5. North Alabama 24.6 (Nov. 6, 2019)

Martin gives early impression of his defense
Oct. 22, 2019
If there are two things to know about South Carolina men’s basketball coach Frank Martin when it comes to style of play, it’s that he wants to play fast on offense and tough on defense.
Take nothing away from his offensive desires, but opposing teams typically leave the court worn down from the way the Gamecocks play on the defensive end of the court. It’s what those on the outside know Martin and his program for, and something he expects to see from his team game in and game out. (VIEW ARTICLE) FREE 247SPORTS

Frank Martin’s preseason progress report: Why he’s pleased, why he’s ‘disappointed’
Oct. 29, 2019
Wildens Leveque is a promising South Carolina forward with enough size and athleticism to make an immediate impact on the Gamecocks. But he’s also a freshman going through his first preseason with Frank Martin.
The USC coach was reminded of the latter during a recent practice when his rookie big man was struggling with recall.
“Wildens Leveque the other day couldn’t remember something that we’ve been running every day since the first day of practice,” Martin said Monday. “So the next day, I brought our play card from the end of the season last year and I showed it to him in front of everybody. I said, ‘Look at this.’ I said, ‘You can’t remember the one thing we practiced every day for three weeks? How are you going to remember this by the end of the season?’ (VIEW ARTICLE) THE STATE

Men's Basketball 10/28/2019
VIDEOS: Men's Basketball News Conferences
Gamecocks Host Columbia International for Exhibition on Wednesday
USC basketball coach Frank Martin is set to embark on his 8th season as men’s basketball coach at USC this week with an exhibition game Wednesday night against Columbia International at Colonial Life Arena. The regular season opens at home November 6th against North Alabama. Martin has a veteran team to work with though he has to replace his best player from last season, Chris Silva, along with major contributors Tre Campbell and Felipe Haase. Martin met with the media Monday morning to update the progress of his group in camp.

Gamecocks go outside, under lights for tip-off event
Oct. 19, 2019
Gamecock 2019-20 basketball teams were introduced to fans like no previous rosters.
A half-court in the middle of downtown set the stage for Frank Martin and Dawn Staley’s squads. The “Gamecock Tip-Off” event, played out in front of over 1,000 spectators, included dunks, 3-pointers and random non-basketball competitions between the two teams.
aid Blake Edmunds. “The idea to have an outside option like this has been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time in my career. South Carolina’s assistant athletic director for marketing and fan engagement. “Basically, it just kind of came together. Like, ‘Hey, let’s do this. Let’s try it out. Let’s see what it takes. Let’s see what kind of financial needs we need for it and what type of support we’ll get for it. And if it makes sense, let’s do it.’ “And it did make sense. And it’s something I think I see coming more of a tradition.”

Frank Martin this is the most talented he’s had in eight years in Columbia not showing in the SEC preseason Polls
Oct. 17, 2019
The SEC preseason media poll came out Tuesday, the Gamecocks were about in the same spot they were picked last season .They landed at 10th, one spot ahead of last year’s 11th position. (VIEW ARTICLE)

Lawson Named To Jerry West Award Watch List
10/15/2019 | Men's Basketball
COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina sophomore guard A.J. Lawson has been named one of 20 watch list members for the 2020 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year. It was announced on Tuesday by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates. (VIEW ARTICLE)

Frank Martin this is the most talented he’s had in eight years in Columbia not showing in the SEC preseason Polls
Oct. 17, 2019
The SEC preseason media poll came out Tuesday, the Gamecocks were about in the same spot they were picked last season .They landed at 10th, one spot ahead of last year’s 11th position.
MARTIN FRUSTRATION SHOW
“It’s disappointing, but it’s just, it is what it is. And that’s why I use the point about, we’ve been top 20 in the country for numerous weeks in my time at South Carolina. And I’ve coached in two league games where there’s not a single person in the media covering the game,” Martin said.
“So, for whatever reason, our successes aren’t celebrated. It’s disappointing, and it’s across the whole league, which is disappointing. I respect the coaches and the players in this league too much to be whining about a preseason poll. But I would just think that the folks that cover this league, now that I’ve been here for going on eight years, based on the guys we’re returning, based on our successes, that they respect us a little bit more.”
The poll, voted on by selected national and regional media members, has certainly missed the mark more often than not when it comes to Martin and the Gamecocks — over the past seven years, USC has placed better than its preseason projection five times, worse than it once and exactly as expected once. Over the past four years, Carolina has finished at least four spots higher than its preseason position three times.
PLAYERS SPEAK
“(They’re) definitely not evaluating us the right way, because they’re always wrong, we’re always the underdog,” sophomore guard A.J. Lawson said. “And we have the underdog mentality, so every year we just grind out preseason practices so when game time comes we’re ready. Definitely the underdog again this year, so I guess we have to do our thing and show people who we really are.” Lawson, a projected first-round NBA draft pick, was also left off both the first and second teams of the preseason All-SEC squad, and that seemed to irk Martin as much as the team’s overall low position. He cited a run of Gamecocks who earned postseason honors, including Chris Silva, Sindarius Thornwell, Hassani Gravett and Duane Notice, that were all passed over in the preseason as well.
How much those snubs will motivate the team depends on the player. While senior Maik Kotsar dismissed the idea of the poll being bulletin board material, Lawson said he’s taking his own absence from the all-conference teams as a challenge. “It’s definitely motivation, everything’s motivation. I always try to be the best me when I’m practicing, when I’m playing. That stuff motivates me to be the best I can be,” Lawson said. “I feel like I’m a talented enough player and I should have been on it, but it motivates me to work harder and try to make it when the (postseason) list does come out.”
MARIN THE LAST WORD
Martin looked back over his previous teams exceeding expectations, he said the issue was something that extended beyond Lawson and one season. “I’m just a little disappointed our program isn’t given a little more respect,” he said.
SOUTH CAROLINA IN SEC PRESEASON POLLS UNDER FRANK MARTIN
2018-19: Picked to finish 11th, finished 4th
2017-18: Picked to finish 11th, finished 11th
2016-17: Picked to finish 8th, finished 4th
2015-16: Picked to finish 7th, finished 3rd
2014-15: Picked to finish 12th, finished 11th
2013-14: Picked to finish 12th, finished 13th
2012-13: Picked to finish 13th, finished 12th

Lawson Named To Jerry West Award Watch List
10/15/2019 | Men's Basketball
COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina sophomore guard A.J. Lawson has been named one of 20 watch list members for the 2020 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year. It was announced on Tuesday by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.
Lawson is Carolina's top returning scorer after averaging 13.4 points per game during his rookie campaign a year ago, en route to SEC All-Freshman Team accolades. The Toronto, Canada, native, posted 18 double-figure scoring games last season, and had eight games with five or more assists, while leading or sharing the team lead in scoring 12 times. Lawson had six contests with 20 or more points, including a season high 25 points vs. Coastal Carolina. In SEC action, Lawson had standout performances in several outings, including leading all scorers with 24 points in a come-from-behind road victory at Vanderbilt, including the game-winning free throws with under 30 seconds remaining. He also went 8-of-12 from the floor, behind four 3-pointers, with another 24-point effort in Carolina's home win over Arkansas, and connected on a season high six 3s in the comeback home win over Texas A&M.
The Award, in its sixth year, is named after Class of 1980 Hall of Famer and 1959 NCAA Final Four Most Valuable Player, Jerry West. New to the award this season is Fan Voting presented by Dell Technologies in each of the three rounds. Fan voting will go live on Friday, Oct. 18. By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the Award will be narrowed to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Mr. West, and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the 2020 Award will be presented at The College Basketball Awards in Los Angeles in April.
For more information on the 2020 Jerry West Award and the latest updates, log onto www.hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall on Twitter and Instagram. Starting Five Fan Voting presented by Dell Technologies will go live on Friday, October 18. 2020 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award Candidates*
Isaiah Joe
Arkansas
Kamar Baldwin
Butler
Jarron Cumberland
Cincinnati
Ty-Shon Alexander
Creighton
Kellan Grady
Davidson
Antoine Davis
Detroit Mercy
Anthony Edwards
Georgia
Trent Frazier
Illinois
Joe Wieskamp
Iowa
Tyrese Maxey
Kentucky
Skylar Mays
LSU
Joshua Langford
Michigan State
Temple 'T.J.' Gibbs
Notre Dame
Breein Tyree
Ole Miss
Myles Powell
Seton Hall
A.J. Lawson
South Carolina
Mustapha Heron
St. John's
Desmond Bane
TCU
Jordan Bowden
Tennessee
Sam Merrill
Utah State
*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2019-20 season*

The man who could fill the shoes of Silva
Oct. 05, 2019
Chris Silva not only led South Carolina in blocked shots each of the last three seasons, he did it without serious competition. He had 36 more swats than any Gamecock last year, 28 more than his closest competitor the year before and 21 more than any one in 2016-17. “A one-man blocking crew,” said Gamecock coach Frank Martin. (VIEW ARTICLE)

The man who could fill the shoes of Silva
Oct. 05, 2019
Chris Silva not only led South Carolina in blocked shots each of the last three seasons, he did it without serious competition. He had 36 more swats than any Gamecock last year, 28 more than his closest competitor the year before and 21 more than any one in 2016-17. “A one-man blocking crew,” said Gamecock coach Frank Martin.
The post-Silva era began this week with Carolina’s first official practice of 2019-20.
Martin said Wednesday. “Our guys drive to the basket. Wildens is coming to get it. Wildens doesn’t stand there and watch. He’s coming to get that ball.” Wildens Leveque is the biggest of South Carolina’s five-man freshman class. The 6-foot-11, 230lbs from Massachusetts studied tape of Silva before committing to the Gamecocks last October. A year later, he’s showing early signs of Silva-like ability. “Chris Silva is a good athlete a two-time All-SEC player who’s now with the Miami Heat. “He was strong and he could run. He was a real good jumper. But basketball’s a game you end up playing in confined space a lot of time, in traffic. And when Chris got in traffic, he didn’t move as well. He was strong as an ox. It was hard to move him. But he didn’t jump real well. He didn’t move in that traffic real good. “These guys we got, they just go through stuff. Wildens Leveque at workouts (last week) was ridiculous. The plays he was making at the rim as far as rebounding and blocking shots ... I’m saying, ‘Wow.’”
Leveque averaged 16 points, 13 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game as a senior at Gould Academy in Maine. Asked by The State in May to best describe Leveque as a player, Gould responded, “volume rebounder, rim protector.” Silva made a career off those traits. What Martin is seeing in Silva’s absence is a small army of Gamecocks working the glass and beyond.
Martin said. “When rebounds come off the rim. I’m used to seeing Chris Silva’s hands over the rim and, ‘All right, he didn’t get it, let’s hope it lands in our hands.’ There’s multiple hands up there going after the ball right now.” Those keeping Leveque company at the rim range from seniors Maik Kotsar and Micaiah Henry (graduate transfer) to fellow rookie Jalyn McCreary. The Gamecocks last season finished 11th in the SEC in rebound margin.
Enclosing Martin said. “There’s a competitive fight at the rim this year that we haven’t had since I’ve been here.Whether it’s Kotsar, whether it’s Jalyn, whether it’s Wildens, Alanzo (Frink), Kay (Henry). It’s unbelievable. There’s a physicality at the rim we haven’t had since I’ve been here.”

15 Gamecock Games Set for National Television
10/2/2019, | From USC Sports Information
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COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women's basketball fans can watch their Gamecocks play on national television at least 15 times in 2019-20, the SEC office announced today. The Gamecocks will be featured as many as six times on the ESPN family of networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) with another nine games airing on SEC Network.
Up to five of the ESPN-originated games are set for Colonial Life Arena, from which the national audience can enjoy the passionate fan support that has made the Gamecocks the national leader in average attendance each of the last five seasons. SEC Network will be in Columbia for four nationally televised games with the remaining non-televised home games available on SECN+ via the ESPN app.
ESPN's coverage of South Carolina tips off early again this season with the Gamecocks' game at Maryland (Nov. 10) set for a 3 p.m. tipoff. ESPN2 will air as many as five other games – Mississippi State (Jan. 20), Tennessee (Feb. 2), UConn (Feb. 10), possibly at Kentucky (Feb. 23) and Texas A&M (Mar. 1). The broadcast of the Feb. 23 game at Kentucky may move to SEC Network with final assignments to be determined closer to the game date.
SEC Network has picked up nine Gamecock games – four at home (Duke on Dec. 19, Kentucky on Jan. 2, Auburn on Feb. 13 and Vanderbilt on Feb. 17) and five on the road (Alabama on Jan. 5, Vanderbilt on Jan. 12, Missouri on Jan. 16, Georgia on Jan. 26 and at Arkansas on Feb. 6). SEC Network coverage of the opening night of league play – Jan. 2 – will be whip around coverage of all SEC games.
All games of the SEC Tournament will be broadcast from Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. The first three days of games will air on SEC Network with ESPNU showing the semifinals on Sat., Mar. 7, and ESPN2 picking up Sunday's final at 2 p.m. ET.
All games on ESPN networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and SEC Network) are also available through the ESPN app, which is accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets and connected devices nationwide at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider.
All Gamecock home game tipoff times have also been finalized. Colonial Life Arena will host 10 weeknight games this season with five games set for Sunday afternoons.
Fans interested in buying season tickets for the Gamecocks' 2019-20 season can find more information at http://www.itsgreattobeagamecock.com/wbb18/ or by calling the South Carolina Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-4SC-FANS (472-3267).

Looking at the Gamecocks starting lineup as Men's basketball practice begins
Sept. 30, 2019
Gamecocks on Monday began its first official basketball practice for the 2019-20 season. It came with a Gamecock-produced hype video that included shots of A.J. Lawson’s dunk against Ole Miss, Keyshawn Bryant slams one inside Colonial Life Arena.
Lawson is a reigning All-SEC freshman team member and potential first round NBA draft pick. Bryant scored more points as a Gamecock rookie than Chris Silva and P.J. Dozier did as freshmen. Jermaine Couisnard introduced himself over the summer with 40-point outings in the SC Pro-Am. Justin Minaya is back healthy after injury. Jair Bolden is back after a year off for transferring. There’s a ton of pieces in place for South Carolina to improve off last year’s hot second half and fourth place finish in the SEC.
How Martin sorts and manages these pieces is something to monitor over the next month. The season opener is Nov. 6 against North Alabama. Out of the 16 man roster on the team only one can’t play because of a redshirt (Seventh Woods. Coach Marin has 15 coach and get ready before the sesaon action begins.
The opening night starting lineup has been the same five that started the last USC game of the season only once in Martin’s seven-year tenure — Dozier, Silva, Duane Notice, Sindarius Thornwell and Maik Kotsar in 2016-17 (Final Four). But game-to-game lineup changes have slowed significantly since Martin arrived from Kansas State.
The Gamecocks used 16 different starting lineups in 2012-13 and eight a season later. The high since has been six (in 2017-18 and an injury-plagued 2018-19).
Martin had this to say. “We’ve got guys that played together last year. But they also played with a guy named Chris Silva, and Hassani (Gravett) and Tre (Campbell), two guys who were fifth-year college seniors. And now those guys aren’t there anymore.
“So how do these guys take on more responsibility? Who’s willing to do it? Who doesn’t? Who’s taken another step as a player greater than the other? I mean, there’s a lot of things that go into it. ... Moving forward, that’s when I start trying to figure out rotations and guys who play well. Once I decide these are the starters, if you follow my history, I pretty much stick with them.” At least four opening night starters have been in USC’s final lineup four of the past five seasons. That stretch has also included two SEC Sixth Man of the Year winners in Gravett (2018-19) and Notice (2015-16).
Bolden, who last averaged 11 points and three assists a game for George Washington, at point guard seems safe until you realize it could keep Couisnard on the bench.
Bryant filled in nicely after Minaya went down last year, but which of the sophomores gets the nod at small forward? And can either drop to power forward?
Kotsar has more starting experience than anybody on the roster, but he finished last year on the bench. Which newcomers challenge the senior most for center minutes? Graduate transfer Micaiah Henry? Freshman Wildens Leveque?
Coach Martin has had one true freshman average at least 19 minutes per game in each of his seven seasons at USC. Is there enough opportunity out there for one of Leveque, Trae Hannibal, Trey Anderson or Jalyn McCreary to keep that tradition alive?

Gamecocks Announce Oct. 30 Exhibition With Columbia International
9/27/2019 | Men's Basketball
COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina men's basketball will host Columbia International University in a free admission exhibition contest on Oct. 30, at Colonial Life Arena. Tip time for the matchup is set for 7 p.m. ET. (VIEW ARTICLE)